Classic Masterpieces

Art Tatum - The Complete Pablo Group Masterpieces (1990) {6CD Set Pablo Records 6PACD-4401-2 rec 1954-1956}
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© 1954-56, 1990 Pablo Records | 6PACD-4401-2
Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Swing / Stride / Boogie-Woogie / Piano

Tatum spent most of his career as a solo pianist; in fact, it was often said that he was such an unpredictable virtuoso that it would be difficult for other musicians to play with him. Producer Norman Granz sought to prove that the theory was false, so between 1954 and 1956 he extensively recorded Tatum with a variety of other classic jazzmen, resulting originally in nine LPs of material that is now available separately as eight CDs and on this very full six-CD box set.

Art Tatum, Red Callender, Jo Jones - The Tatum Group Masterpieces (1956) {Pablo Japan, J33J-20035, Early Press}
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© 1956, 1985 Pablo Records / Polydor K.K. Japan | J33J-20035
Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Swing / Stride / Piano

For this set Art Tatum's group recordings for Norman Granz in the 1950s, the remarkable pianist is teamed with bassist Red Callender and drummer Jo Jones. Due to the presence of his sidemen, Tatum is slightly restricted as far as changing keys and tempos at will, but his playing is still often stunning. Highlights of the trio performances include "Just One of Those Things," "Blue Lou," "I'll Never Be the Same," and "More Than You Know."

2 CD, 36 tracks including gems from Artie Shaw, Count Basie, Benny Goodman, Chet Baker, Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis and many more!

Compilation: "Masterpieces" celebrates the songs not released as singles throughout the band’s catalogue but which stand as firm fan favourites around the world bringing them to the front and giving fans the chance to dive even deeper into the band’s history.

Art Tatum - The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces Vol. 1 (1953) {OJC Remasters Complete Series rel 2013, item 32of33}
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© 1953, 2013 Pablo / Concord | 40th Anniversary of Pablo Records | 0888072346208
Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Piano

Concord Music Group will release five new titles in its Original Jazz Classics Remasters series on September 17, 2013. Enhanced by 24-bit remastering by Joe Tarantino, bonus tracks (some previously unreleased), and new liner notes to provide historical context to the originally released material, the series celebrates the 40th anniversary of Pablo Records, the prolific Beverly Hills-based label that showcased some of the most influential jazz artists and recordings of the 1970s and '80s.

Art Tatum - The Complete Pablo Solo Masterpieces (1991) {7CD Set Pablo Records 7PACD-4404-2 rec 1953-1956}
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© 1953-56, 1991 Pablo / Fantasy | PACD 4404-2
Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Swing / Stride / Boogie-Woogie / Piano

During four marathon recording sessions in 1953-55, Norman Granz recorded Art Tatum playing 119 standards, enough music for a dozen LPs. The results have been recently reissued separately on eight CDs and on this very full seven-CD box set. Frankly, Tatum did no real advance preparation for this massive project, sticking mosty to concise melodic variations of standards, some of them virtual set pieces formed over the past two decades. Since there are few uptempo performances, the music in this series has a certain sameness after awhile but, heard in small doses, it is quite enjoyable. A special bonus on this box (and not on the individual volumes) are four numbers taken from a 1956 Hollywood Bowl concert.

Art Blakey - The Jazz Messenger (1956) {Columbia Jazz Masterpieces, CK 47118 rel 1991})
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© 1956, 1991 Columbia / Sony Music | CK 47118
Jazz / Hard Bop / Drums

Digitally remastered from the original analog masters. Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers not only supplied consistently exciting and innovative music for nearly 40 years, but also provided the experience and mentoring for young musicians to learn their trade.

Art Tatum & Ben Webster - The Art Tatum Group Masterpieces (1956) {Pablo Japan, VDJ-28009, Early Press}
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© 1956, 1987 Pablo Records / Victor Japan | VDJ-28009
Jazz / Mainstream Jazz / Swing / Stride / Piano

The quartet set with tenor-saxophonist Ben Webster. Webster lets Tatum fill the background with an infinite number of notes while emphasizing his warm tenor tone in the forefront on a variety of melodic ballads and standards. The combination works very well.